When to take MCAT as traditional applicant?

[Skarl]

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If I don't take a gap year, when should I ideally aim to study for and take the MCAT? I've heard that if you finish your pre-reqs by the end of your sophomore year, it's good to study for the MCAT in the summer and take it that September. However, what if I don't finish all my pre-reqs? I feel it is not ideal to study for and take the MCAT during the school year as I will be balancing academic commitments.

If I do take a gap year, when should I aim to study for and take the MCAT then? How do I ensure knowledge from my pre-reqs stay fresh if I take the MCAT later?

 

[Goro]

When you're 100% ready.

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

Obviously whenever you feel prepared, but in my opinion, the January times seem the best because you get your score back in time for you to retake if you want, and if youre content with your score, you have a few months to prepare your PS and primary

 

[efle]

If I don't take a gap year, when should I ideally aim to study for and take the MCAT? I've heard that if you finish your pre-reqs by the end of your sophomore year, it's good to study for the MCAT in the summer and take it that September. However, what if I don't finish all my pre-reqs? I feel it is not ideal to study for and take the MCAT during the school year as I will be balancing academic commitments.

If I do take a gap year, when should I aim to study for and take the MCAT then? How do I ensure knowledge from my pre-reqs stay fresh if I take the MCAT later?

I'm a big fan of the summer studying route, it's a lot easier to carve out big chunks of MCAT time on a daily basis that way. If you are trying to go the traditional (non-gap) route and want to do this, then you'd want to test in July so you could have a score to send in during August. So something like semester ending mid May and studying ~8 weeks until mid July would be good.

 

[Penguin94]

Yes, exactly what above says! I took mine July after my junior year finished, submitted my primary end of July (should have done it earlier) and was finished at most places end of August/beginning of September. Had a decent cycle (LizzyM 69). Yes the earlier you submit is better but taking the mcat when you're prepared and confident is the absolute key. Good luck!

 

[raiderette]

I finished my prereqs in May, took MCAT end if May, applied June. Rather than study over the summer, I prepped all of spring semester while finishing my biochem and physics. It wasn't fun, but it kept me on track. It is very difficult to complete all prereqs by sophomore year now that biochemistry is on the test.